TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Fengshan District Police Department set out to remove toxic mushrooms early Monday (Aug. 4) as a response to reports of traffic disruptions. Heavy rainfall since July 28 has led to the growth of toxic false parasol mushrooms (綠褶菇) on a traffic island along Kaohsiung City's (高雄市) Fengnan Road in Fengnan District.
According to the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA, 食藥署), false parasol mushrooms, or Chlorophyllum molybdites(Meyer: Fr.) Massee, thrive in low-altitude broadleaf forests. They resemble edible varieties such as white parasol mushrooms (白色雨傘菇) and termite mushrooms (雞肉絲菇), and can be distinguished by their gills, which change from white to yellow-green early on and turn brown when damaged.
The appearance of these mushrooms on a busy road has sparked online discussions, with one netizen sharing the phenomenon on Threads. Many residents have risked crossing the road for photos, despite the small size of the traffic island and fast-moving traffic, increasing the danger.
The Kaohsiung Public Works Bureau (工務局) reiterated the dangers of consuming the mushrooms, stating that food poisoning symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloody stools, and dehydration will occur one to three hours after accidental ingestion. They urged caution and reminded the public of the potential health risks associated with these mushrooms.